Puzzle



E. L. BOWMAN. PUZZLE.

APPLICATION map JULY 23, 1919.

1,342,706. Patented June 8, 1920.

Invenlor: EdwinLBowman,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN L. BOWMAN, OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES A.

SCI-IMITZ, OF WEST ZMEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

PUZZLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J nne 8, 1920.

in the center of which is a truncated cone having a central chamber and a track on one side of said cone leading to the top of the cone, said casing having positioned therein a plurality of balls which with skill may be successively moved up said track and deposited in said chamber.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one preferred form thereof is illustrated in the drawings, this form having been found to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described, except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a perspective of a puzzle embodying the principle of the present invention.

Fig. 2 represents an elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 represents a vertical section of the same, and

Fig. 1 represents a horizontal section on line 4, i on Fig. 2.

Similar characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings, is a base having a transparent casing 11 positioned thereon surmounted by a cap or closure 12.

From the flat top of the base 10, a truncated cone 13 with a straight side extendsupwardly and centrally disposed in the cone 13 is a chamber 14: open at the top.

The top of the cone 13 has a fiat surface extending outwardly from the chamber 14. On one side of the cone 13 is a walled track or groove 15 leading from the flat top of the base 10 to the flat top of said cone 13 at some distance from the chamber 14 with a flat surface between said chamber and groove.

The lower end of the wall of said cone 13 is separated from the inner wall of the casing 11 and in this space upon the base 10 are deposited several balls 16.

The casing 11 may be secured to the base 10 in any well known manner, but preferably is made as indicated in the drawing with a portion of the upper end of the base cut away to form. a shoulder 17 against which the lower end of the casing 11 abuts with a cylindrical extension 18 tightly positioned within the lower end of the said casing 11.

In like manner the cap 12 is provided with a cylindrical extension 20 projecting into and tightly fitting the upper end of the casing 11.

The casing 11 may be of glass, celluloid or any other well known transparent material, it being essential that the said casing should be transparent so that the operator may watch the movement of the balls while attempting to solve the puzzle.

In order to solve the puzzle it is necessary to move each ball 16 successively up the inclined track or groove 15 and finally deposit all of said balls 16 within the chamber 14.

The main difficulty is to retain in the chamber 1-1 a ball already deposited therein while attempting to deposit the next ball in said chamber.

While one who has learned the knack of placing the balls in said chamber 14: can deposit therein all of the balls 16 in a very short time, those less expert may try for indefinite periods without effecting the desired results.

The puzzle affords considerable amusement.

It is simple in construction and therefore inexpensive.

It is believed that the operation of the invention and its many advantages will be readily understood without further description.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A puzzle having a truncated cone with a central chamber thereof and a walled track on one side thereon, leading to the top of said cone, the top of said cone having a fiat surface extending utWardly from said chamber; a plurality of balls; and a base on which said balls are normally positioned.

2. A puzzle having a flat-topped base; a transparent cylindrical casing thereon; a fiat-sided cap having a cylindrical pr0jec-, tion fitted into the top of said casing; a truncated cone extending upwardly from the center of said base and provided With a central vertical chamber and a groove on one side, leading from said base to the top of said cone and separated from said chamber at said top by a fiat surface the-bottom of said cone being separated from said casing; and a plurality of balls normally positioned on said base between said cone and said casing.

Signed by me at 4 Post Ofiice Square,

. Boston, Mass, this 22nd day of July, 1919.

EDWIN L. BOWMAN. Witnesses:

WALTER E. LOMBARD, EDWARD F. ALLEN. 

